Binance withdraws Greek MiCA bid, seeks alternative EU license

Policy Binance withdraws Greek MiCA bid, seeks alternative EU license The crypto giant must find a home base in the EU by July 1 or regulators will force the company to shut down operations for millions of regional users. By Olivier Acuna | Edited by Cheyenne Ligon Jun 24, 2026, 5:18 p.m. 2 min read Make preferred on Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Make preferred on The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is about to take over regulatory oversight across the EU. (Gecina/Wikimedia Commons) Summary Show Binance has withdrawn its application for a Markets in Crypto-Assets license in Greece and will seek authorization in another European Union country instead. The move comes just days before a July 1 MiCA deadline that requires crypto firms to hold a license in at least one EU member state or wind down operations across the bloc. Greek, Irish and Latvian regulators had reportedly raised concerns about Binance’s past legal issues and corporate structure, while the company says user funds are safe and it will update affected European customers before the deadline. Binance has withdrawn its application for a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license in Greece and will seek authorization in another European Union country, the crypto exchange said Wednesday via several X posts . While Binance did not immediately respond to CoinDesk's request for comment, Gillian Lynch, head of Europe ‌and the United Kingdom, told Reuters that "Binance is not leaving Europe." Her comment follows her firm's bid to secure a licence in Greece to offer crypto services in the EU went sour. Last week, Binance said its European regulatory MiCA application was compliant despite reports of Greek rejection. “Our understanding is that the HCMC (Hellenic Capital Market Commission) completed its review of the application and considered it compliant with MiCA requirements, and that the application was also reviewed at ESMA level,” a Binance spokesman told CoinDesk via email on June 16 . The decision comes days before a June 30 deadline. Under MiCA rules, crypto firms must obtain a license from at least one EU member state by July 1 to serve clients across the 27-nation trading bloc. Unlicensed firms must wind down their EU activities. "We made this decision after careful consideration of the current status and timeline of the Greek process," Binance said. "Europe remains an important market for Binance... We are confident we will secure a license in the coming months." The withdrawal follows reports that Greek regulators planned to reject the application. Reuters reported that officials in Greece, Ireland, and Latvia jointly tracked the bid, citing concerns about Binance's past legal issues and corporate structure. Binance stated that user funds remain safe and that it will communicate directly with affected European users regarding changes to their accounts before the compliance deadline. The company did not name which EU country it will approach next. MiCA Binance Latest Crypto News 1 Bitcoin falls to $60,000 as AI trade continues to draw investor interest and capital 1 hour ago 2 Crypto Long & Short: Infrastructure is the prevailing currency in digital assets 1 hour ago 3 SecondFi loses $2.4 million in Cardano wallet exploit 1 hour ago 4 Trump's refusal to sign housing bill could delay Congress and imperil Clarity Act 1 hour ago 5 Ex-FCA policy insider explains the ‘great divide’ in the UK’s crypto ambition 1 hour ago 6 Bitcoin just broke below the floor of its famous Rainbow Chart into the ‘BTC is dead’ zone 2 hours ago 7 The banking lobby is wrong about stablecoins and community banks 2 hours ago 8 Gold, silver and bitcoin tumble as 'debasement' trade unwinds 3 hours ago 9 Bitcoin could fall to $55,000 before finding a bottom, 10x Research says 3 hours ago 10 CoinDesk 20 performance update: Aave (AAVE) gains 5.9% as index moves higher 3 hours ago Latest Research CEX Volumes Drop to Lowest Since September 2024 as RWA Perps Hit Record High CEX Volumes Drop to Lowest Since September 2024 as RWA Perps Hit Record High In May, combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T; the lowest since September 2024. RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high. By CoinDesk Research Jun 15, 2026 In May, combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T; the lowest since September 2024. RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high. Why it matters : In May, combined exchange volumes fell 3.45% to $4.41T; the lowest since September 2024. RWA perpetual futures volumes rose 10.4% against the trend, hitting a new all-time high. View Full Report More From Policy Trump's refusal to sign housing bill could delay Congress and imperil Clarity Act Ex-FCA policy insider explains the ‘great divide’ in the UK’s crypto ambition CZ, Binance founder, wants to clear up 'misunderstandings' about who he is